Hard working students win national awards

Winner: Vlad Fagarasanu is staying on at Portsmouth to study for his masters degree

Two exceptional staff members in the University of Portsmouth Students’ Union won against stiff competition at the national Student Employee of the Year Awards.

Third year graphic design student Vlad Fagarasanu took home the Above and Beyond award and came runner-up for overall Student Employee of the Year award. Creative writing masters student Sam Allman won the Commercial Impact award.

Both worked part-time for the students’ union alongside their studies.

The awards are the largest of their kind in the country with more than half of UK universities submitting nominations for students who combine part-time work with studying.

Vlad, 25 from Romania, was nominated for his innovation and support as a marketing assistant at the students’ union.

He said: “I cannot thank the University of Portsmouth Students’ Union enough for such an amazing opportunity and for being such a great team to work with.

“To be honest, I still can’t believe it. I am beyond happy.”

Sales and marketing assistant Sam, 24, from Bedfordshire, was nominated for generating a high number of sales.

He said: “I am delighted to have won the institutional, regional and now national award for commercial impact.

“It’s been a great year developing and working with UPSU and it’s lovely to see how our hard work has paid off.”

Both were awarded £100, a glass trophy and a certificate.

James Belmonte, president of the students’ union, said: “Vlad and Sam have contributed so much and we feel very lucky to have found such valuable and dedicated student employees.”

Sam is now working in London after completing his masters and Vlad will be staying on as a marketing assistant in the students’ union while undertaking a masters degree at the University of Portsmouth.

This is the second year on the trott that students working in the Union have achieved national award winning status and goes to show the individual value of investing in students on a micro level as well as the wider membership. Amazing work Vlad, Sam and Rebecca (who was shortlisted at the University stage) – you have all been awesome!

jacqui ADAMS

July 5, 2017

Well done .. What a fantastic success story. And for the Student Union who offered these opportunties

Peta

July 10, 2017

We in CCI are really proud of both our students. Having worked with Vlad as part of our student events team I am not surprised he has won the Above and Beyond award – he’s a star!

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